About

I am a portrait photographer based out of Washington DC. I specialize in capturing and creating handcrafted images of people, including maternity (aka not-quite baked ones), newborn (the sleepy, squishy kind), children (ranging from wiggly toddlers to posing tweens), families (it takes all kinds), and seniors (as in too-cool-for-school teens). I work out of my home studio on Capitol Hill, and also photograph on location in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland in locations such as Alexandria, Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, the Glen Echo Park area and Silver Spring.

If you are interested in scheduling a portrait session, you can reach me at 202-670-9470 or at maya@mayaseye.com.

So now that we’ve got the big stuff out of the way, here’s the stuff that actually helps you get an idea about who I am. : )

1. I’m a Mom with a Camera, but I am not one of those moms with cameras. When you work with me, you’re not going to get a photographer who does this as a hobby, and who doesn’t sweat the details such as making sure your eyes look sharp in the images or that you might not want to smush your arm up against your body in that way. I study this stuff. I lose sleep over this stuff. I pay a ridiculous amount of attention to the small stuff.

I’m very familiar with my professional-grade camera and my lighting equipment and I have committed myself to creating images that stand the test of time. As a result, you’re going to get high quality images that you’ll be excited to display on your walls. Yes, you can find other photographers out there who are cheaper. But take a good look at the images they put out there and compare them to mine. I believe that it is pretty obvious – even to the average Josephine – that the higher caliber of my work is a result of a good eye, careful retouching and color-editing and a devotion to the idea that your portraits are art, not just something to be viewed on a computer.

I have made a business decision to be a low volume, high quality boutique photographer. What this means is that you will not leave my studio with a disk full of 150 files that you don’t know what to do with. I will spend time working with you to give you a custom experience, helping you define your style (traditional, contemporary, shabby chic, modern, earthy, bright & colorful, faded and antique?), and figuring out where in your home you would like to hang your portraits and in what type of finish. And you will walk away with beautiful custom art pieces for your walls that have been edited and enhanced to perfection. I work with you to make sure that the final edited images meet your standards (as well as mine). Because I work hard both before and after your shoot – using my camera and my computer, I charge appropriately for this work.

2. I love what I do! I’m a very conscientious photographer who spends late nights editing my clients’ images. But this gratifies me to no end. There’s nothing that makes me feel better (aside from cuddling with my own kids) than to deliver wall portraits to a client who breaks out into a smile when she sees her final product. Having spent the early part of my career in various cubicles and such, I feel lucky to have settled upon something that excites me and makes me actually look forward to a day of turning photos into art.

3. If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m a straight-shooter. I’m honest, and hard working, kind of like a cowboy, but I do love some wit. So I guess that makes me an East Coast cowgirl, or something (except that I’m originally from Chicago!).

4. As a mother of two (one of whom has special needs), I have seen it all. Well, probably most of it. I am fully prepared for the moods, messes, and unpredictability of working with babies and children. Seriously. Is your newborn having a fussy day when I come to your house for the shoot? No problem. I will hang out til we can get him happy and sleeping again (even if it takes four hours). You need to change that diaper in my studio? Do it. Little Johnny is in his terrible two’s? Been there and deeply sympathize. Need to break for a time-out or a snack break? Whatever allows us to get the best shots of your children.

5. Don’t be afraid to think a little bigger. I am happy to offer you prints in various sizes, as well as albums and even digital files. But I like to encourage you to consider the walls of your home and envision seeing your family fill them up as a canvas, framed print, mounted print that stands out a bit, on a modern storyboard, or even on a metal mural. There are so many gorgeous ways to display your portraits beyond a basic 5×7 and 8×10 print (and 8×10 prints are pretty small – let me tell you). Let me show you all of the options available to you through this custom photography experience. : ) Trust me. This stuff is cool.

Most importantly, the “key takeaway” is that when you pay for a custom photography experience, the emphasis is on the word “custom”. This is not an artistic dictatorship. I will work very hard to create images that match your lifestyle, home, and taste. If you have a vision for a shoot, please contact me so that we can discuss how you see things in your mind’s eye.